People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (12/11/2018 Tue.)

This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China.

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Chinese vice premier Liu He holds phone talks with Mnuchin and Lighthizer

Chinese vice premier Liu He spoke on the phone with US Treasure Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on December 11.

That’s according to a statement issued by China’s commerce ministry.

The statement said Liu called Mnuchin and Lighthizer and urged them to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.

During a dinner meeting in Argentina on December 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump discussed the economic and trade issues between the two countries, and reached an important consensus. (People's Daily app)

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Quantum computer control system launched in east China

China's first quantum computer control system with independent intellectual property rights has been launched in Hefei, capital of eastern province of Anhui, according to sources with the city's high-tech zone on Tuesday.

The control system was developed by Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co. Ltd., a startup which develops and commercializes quantum computers.

The essential role of the control system is to provide the precise signal needed for the operation of quantum chips. It can also process feedback information and compile computer programs, according to the company.

It can be applied to various fields such as testing of quantum chips and the theory building of quantum computers, and provide solutions for a wide range of scientific experimental researches including precision measurement and basic science research. (Xinhua)

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US Treasury sanctions 3 senior DPRK officials

The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against three senior officials of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In a statement, the department said the sanctions were made in connection with a State Department report on the DPRK.

The sanctions freeze any US assets the designated officials may have and make it illegal for any US entity to conduct financial transactions with them.

Monday's move is the latest in a series of sanctions imposed by the US on DPRK-related entities and individuals, as efforts are being made to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. (Xinhua)

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EU chief says no room to renegotiate Brexit

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is ruling out any renegotiation of the divorce agreement with Britain but says elements of the Brexit deal could still be clarified.

Briefing EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, on this week's leader's summit, Juncker said Tuesday that "there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation" of the divorce deal.

But he added that "if used intelligently, (there) is room enough to give further clarification and further interpretations without opening the withdrawal agreement."

Juncker, who is set to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday evening, underlined that "the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible. It is the only deal possible." (AP)

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Huawei CFO bail hearing adjourned till Tuesday

A Canadian court has moved to Tuesday the bail hearing of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou.

The court could not reach a decision during the second hearing. 

Prosecutors said Meng is a "flight risk" and should be denied bail, while Meng's lawyer has proposed an electronic ankle bracelet and strict surveillance.

During the hearing, Meng's lawyers also proposed an 11 million US dollar bail guarantee for her release.

Meng was detained at the request of the US on December 1 while traveling from Hong Kong to Mexico via Canada. (CGTN)

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Chinese tourists confirmed to be aboard minibus crashing in Australia

The consulate general of China in Perth has confirmed on Monday evening that the mini-bus which was involved in Sunday's crash on an isolated road in Western Australia was carrying Chinese tourists.

A third person, who was the driver of the other vehicle also died at the scene, while nine other Chinese nationals remained in hospital in stable conditions.

According to a statement from Western Australian Police, a utility vehicle crashed into the mini-bus after making contact with a vehicle traveling in the same direction.

Considered to be one of the state's most notorious stretches of road, six people lost their lives on the 60 km stretch of road in 2017 alone.

As a result, the Chinese consulate general in Perth has warned visitors that road safety remains the number one threat for tourists coming to Western Australia, with the Indian Ocean Drive particularly prone to serious traffic accidents and casualties. (Xinhua)

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Macron vows tax relief, urges calm in bid to quell protests

And French President Emmanuel Macron broke his silence Monday, promising broad tax relief for struggling workers and pensioners, and acknowledging his own responsibility in fueling the nation’s anger.

His brief televised address sought a return to calm after almost four weeks of protests against fuel tax increases.

Some protest representatives said more demonstrations will be held Saturday, following the ones in Paris that turned violent during the previous two weekends. (AP)

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And that's People's Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye and Wang Zi)